State Vehicle Inspections (Hampton, Suffolk: rental car, rental, employment)

[Dr.Munchy]

I was just wondering if anyone knew what a state vehicle inspection actually entails. I know they check things like brakes, lights, glass, tires etc but do they also test for emissions here in VA? I am in Suffolk if that has any bearing on the testing. Thanks.

[Jackyfrost01]

Its on the DMV site.

I heard a funny story once. A guy had to get his vehicle inspected when he was outprocessing from the military and had to have a rental car while his car was getting repaired. Without checking that info, the military inspected the RENTAL car to make sure the military tags and stickers had been removed prior to his becoming a civilian.

Needless to say he was suprised. And 6 weeks later, when he got his car back, he'd been a civilian for about a month by then and the car still had all the military stickers on it and such because the inspectors inspected the wrong car. How does that happen?? lol

No harm ever came of it, but its sorta scary that they weren't more thorough on something that simple.

[NJR]

Originally Posted by Dr.Munchy

I was just wondering if anyone knew what a state vehicle inspection actually entails. I know they check things like brakes, lights, glass, tires etc but do they also test for emissions here in VA? I am in Suffolk if that has any bearing on the testing. Thanks.

I don't think so, like in Hampton Roads the extent of emissions testing is to make sure you have proper emmissions contol on the car. ie catalytic converter

[Erma]

Yes, and depending on the year of the vehicle, for instance, an older vehicle will get a more thorough inspection like checking the rotar thicknesses, brake pads etc. Buying a vehicle from a dealership that has lifetime inspections has advantages.

[holmesmic]

Originally Posted by Jackyfrost01

Its on the DMV site.

I heard a funny story once. A guy had to get his vehicle inspected when he was outprocessing from the military and had to have a rental car while his car was getting repaired. Without checking that info, the military inspected the RENTAL car to make sure the military tags and stickers had been removed prior to his becoming a civilian.

Needless to say he was suprised. And 6 weeks later, when he got his car back, he'd been a civilian for about a month by then and the car still had all the military stickers on it and such because the inspectors inspected the wrong car. How does that happen?? lol

No harm ever came of it, but its sorta scary that they weren't more thorough on something that simple.

People in the military sell their car all the time. It is their responsibility (as in the case of the guy outprocessing) to remove all stickers from the vehicle. And in this day (post 9/11), those stickers don't mean a much anyway.

[Erma]

Originally Posted by holmesmic

People in the military sell their car all the time. It is their responsibility (as in the case of the guy outprocessing) to remove all stickers from the vehicle. And in this day (post 9/11), those stickers don't mean a much anyway.

They do if you continue your employment with the gov. on base. I work with many who kept their stickers and when the time ran out, turned them in for civvy stickers. Also, when you sell or junk your old vehicle, you must have the stickers removed and turn them in when you register another vehicle. That's how it is at NNS anyway...could be different at other bases.

[holmesmic]

Originally Posted by Erma

They do if you continue your employment with the gov. on base. I work with many who kept their stickers and when the time ran out, turned them in for civvy stickers. Also, when you sell or junk your old vehicle, you must have the stickers removed and turn them in when you register another vehicle. That's how it is at NNS anyway...could be different at other bases.

I'm speaking of my experience in the Air Force. Many AF bases don't even issue those stickers any longer. Since most military bases require 100% ID check, the stickers aren't needed. The stickers are more for convenience since you *might* have to go through a vehicle search to get through the gate. But its not the stickers that allow access any longer...its the person's ID. Pre-9/11 you could just drive right through any gate, the guard would see the sticker and waive you in or salute you (depending on the color of the sticker). At Army posts, there weren't even guards posted at the gates. To be honest, I have no clue how the Navy works.

[Erma]

Originally Posted by holmesmic

I'm speaking of my experience in the Air Force. Many AF bases don't even issue those stickers any longer. Since most military bases require 100% ID check, the stickers aren't needed. The stickers are more for convenience since you *might* have to go through a vehicle search to get through the gate. But its not the stickers that allow access any longer...its the person's ID. Pre-9/11 you could just drive right through any gate, the guard would see the sticker and waive you in or salute you (depending on the color of the sticker). At Army posts, there weren't even guards posted at the gates. To be honest, I have no clue how the Navy works.

Navy is very strict. Always has been. Yes, I drive right on Air Force Bases, no problem, just show em' my CAC card, but the Naval Bases are much different. Our vehicle searches include doggies and armed guards!

[Jackyfrost01]

Originally Posted by holmesmic

People in the military sell their car all the time. It is their responsibility (as in the case of the guy outprocessing) to remove all stickers from the vehicle. And in this day (post 9/11), those stickers don't mean a much anyway.

Yeah this was in the 1990s and why would they inspect the rental car? If it wasn't that important then why have it on the outprocessing checklist? lol